Red Side Table | repurposed sewing cabinet

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Are you sometimes intimidated by what we DIY bloggers do? I know that I love using saws and such, but occasionally I like to take it easy with a quick and easy repurposed furniture project. That’s what I’m sharing with you today, something you can do using only a screwdriver, or no tools at all, if that’s your choice.

I shared this sewing machine cabinet with you last week. It was a great deal, and I think it was priced cheap because the machine was already removed. Little did the seller know, that I was happy to get this good deal on a cabinet sans machine! I do not like removing vintage sewing machines from their cabinets.

Last week we were about to get a snow storm, so I trudged to the garage and brought this sweet little cabinet into the house.

Dismantle the sewing cabinet

I started removing the hinges—I always remove two on each hinge, then raise the lid a little in order to safely remove the last screw in each of the hinges.

TIP Save the hinges and the screws for a future project. These are very strong hinges.

The lid is slightly cut out where the hinges were, if you’re really particular you can fill the holes and the indention. I did not. This was intended to be a “quickie” project.

This is the underside of the sewing cabinet. There were only six screws holding the frame (that held the machine) in place. I removed those six screws.

The frame was so easy to remove, and it’s going to make a huge difference in the way this cabinet looks when it’s done.

Replace the top of the sewing cabinet

I placed the cabinet on the underneath side of the original lid, and attached it with the screws that I removed.

I used my hem guide to make sure that there was equal distance all the way around on the top (lid).

There ya go! Now, if you want to skip that step and make it extremely easy on yourself, go for it! On one sewing machine cabinet I did, I glued down the lid.

Make tweaks to the cabinet

I decided to leave the small plastic drawer piece attached to the inside of the door. I thought it would make a nice little hiding place for keys, phones, chargers, etc. However, I thought that the little spool pins would be in the way. I simply snapped them off with my pliers.

Paint the new and improved sewing cabinet

I removed the handle and used a cheap chip brush to paint one light coat of Reclaim Paint in Poppy. This jar of paint is going so far. A little bit of paint goes a long way. I love painting furniture black, then giving it a dry brush effect with red to make it look glazed. This time I chose to do a very light coat of the red to see if I could achieve the same look.

Because the inside of this cabinet was in such great shape, I didn’t paint it.

I ended up having to do two coats of paint on the small plastic drawer, but one light coat on the rest of the piece.

I wiped off the excess wax with the paper towel a couple of hours after waxing it. The next morning I used the brown craft paper to buff the finish to a beautiful sheen and feel.

I reattached the original handle without doing anything to it.

Easy Red Side Table

I love the legs on this new red side table. Also, I think it looks better without the original frame that held the machine in place. I enjoy building and sawing, but this project really makes me smile.

This was the view out my window as I was working on this project-however over the weekend it was incredibly warm. Gotta love this crazy weather, sure hope that groundhog was right!

What color would you have painted this side table?

UPDATE

I found a $5 chair, painted it and gave it a new seat. For some reason I can’t find a before picture of the chair… or update pictures of me painting the chair. BUT! I do have pictures of it completed.

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ABOUT GAIL WILSON - A teacher at heart, Gail Wilson relishes the chance not to show off her projects, but to help others find their inner handywoman, step-by-step. Her blog, MyRepurposedLife.com, chronicles her scrap-saving adventures and has been featured on countless DIY magazines and websites, including Women’s Day, Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy. She is a longtime influencer for both Homeright and Gorrilla Glue. With a tribe of more than 450,000 followers, Gail is inspiring a new generation of DIYers to pick up some tools and get to work.

You created a beautiful piece of furniture Very professional in appearance. I like the color, but doesn’t work with my interior. What do you think about a Shabby Chic whitewash look? My mothers sewing machine case is longer with drawers going down the right side, I think there are three. Not sure how that would look.

Looks great! I have a sewing cabinet sans machine from my husband’s grandmother. (I took the machine out years ago intending to put a better machine in its place, but never did). It’s a long cabinet and I thought about dropping a sink in it when we were redoing a bathroom, but it was too low to comfortably use. It’s just been sitting in storage, but now you’ve given me ideas. I’ve never heard of Reclaim paint.

love the color! (noticed a few new things going on with your blog; love that it auto-fills in my name and email addy) maybe i can find one of these tables in my treks to thrift stores this spring. i really like the one re-purposed into a small liquor cabinet, too!

Gail, How beautiful. I have an old cabinet machine that was my mothers. Can’t bring myself to get rid of it, so this is a wonderful option. Thanks for the tip about using a sponge and brown paper. I had almost given up using wax because the brush and rag thing wasn’t working for me.

Gail, the sewing cabinet turned table is magnificent. I adore the color. That said, you have inspired me to get past my hesitation to re-purpose a sewing cabinet. Being a sewer…. I hold my breath when I think of doing anything to a cabinet… and could not paint a treadle cabinet… haven’t gotten that far in my sewing cabinet recovery. lol

What a great makeover, and I think the poppy red was the perfect choice for the little cabinet. With reasonable care she is good now for years to come. You do such beautiful work, I really look forward to your posts and your excellent tutorials.

This is really fun, Gail! 🙂 You’ve inspired me to try the Poppy color. I’ve used the RECLAIM Beyond Paint in several projects, like my china cabinet and bedroom dresser (and outdoor table!) and it works well. I’ll be sharing this and adding it to my RECLAIM posts. 🙂

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Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally! Read More

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